Decarbonizing global operations is a complex, multifaceted challenge for any global company. It requires reconciling diverse geographies, fragmented regulations and infrastructure, and local priorities into a unified plan. Yet, the private sector can't afford to ignore the growing risks posed by a changing climate, which threatens supply chain stability and is making the link between planetary and business health clear.
Climate risk assessments aligned with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) can help translate decarbonization into a strategic imperative.
By integrating these assessments into an enterprise risk profile, companies can identify both physical and transition risks across their operations, helping inform long-term planning, investment decisions, and site-level strategies that build overall resilience.As companies across industries set decarbonization targets, the vast regional differences in energy policy, grid carbon intensity, and technology maturity are often a significant obstacle. A “one-size-fits-all” strategy is rarely equipped to address these unique challenges and opportunities, often leading to slow progress and inefficiency.
To overcome these challenges, companies should think beyond just meeting targets and focus on strategically embedding decarbonization, resilience and agility into corporate operations. A globally supported, local-first framework offers a powerful way to navigate these complexities, empowering local teams to develop tailored solutions that are both effective and practical, while aligning with a broader global vision. This approach enables measurable progress and turns decarbonization into a source of strategic advantage.
At Kenvue, decarbonization is guided by the principle of thinking globally but acting locally. Each manufacturing site has a unique roadmap tailored to its specific operations, energy needs, and equipment. These site-level plans begin with data — understanding total energy use, the mix of renewable and non-renewable sources, and the availability of renewable electricity in the local market. Asset management programs also track equipment replacement schedules, creating opportunities to upgrade to cleaner, more efficient alternatives.
This localized strategy has enabled measurable progress toward the company’s global target of operating with 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Several facilities in Europe, North America and Latin America and APAC have already reached this milestone through a mix of power purchase agreements, retail contracts, and energy certificates.
Recent on-site efficiency and decarbonization assessments have been instrumental in shaping these roadmaps. They provide strategies and timelines for replacing industrial equipment such as chillers, air compressors, and boilers with more efficient alternatives. Roadmaps typically combine investments in renewable energy, digitization and metering, electrification of equipment, fugitive emissions management, and the use of low-global-warming-potential refrigerants. These concrete, site-specific actions have helped local teams take ownership of their energy resilience efforts and accelerate progress.
In parallel, a comprehensive enterprise climate risk assessment was conducted to better understand how climate-related events could affect operations. Aligned with the TCFD framework, this included site-specific evaluations of physical risks, such as extreme weather and water stress, as well as transition risks like regulatory shifts and carbon pricing. Scenario analysis then explored potential future conditions and their implications for business continuity, asset resilience, and investment prioritization. The insights are now embedded into the enterprise risk profile and will help shape site-level decarbonization strategies, ensuring they remain both practical and resilient to climate disruption.
This locally grounded, globally supported strategy can offer several key lessons for other companies seeking to measurably shift from goal setting to implementing their decarbonization strategy:
The strategic takeaway is clear: Progress is not a matter of a single, uniform solution, but rather many tailored solutions moving together in the same direction. By pairing decarbonization with climate risk management and valuing site-level action within a global mission, companies can not only advance their climate goals but also build a more resilient, efficient, and future-ready business.
Linda Caramichael is the Global Head of Sustainable Operations at Kenvue, the maker of iconic consumer health brands including Aveeno®, BAND-AID®, Listerine®, Neutrogena®, and Tylenol®. She leads global initiatives in decarbonization, circularity, and climate resilience across Kenvue’s operations and supply chain.
With more than 20 years of experience spanning consumer health, pharmaceuticals, consulting, and energy, her work directly supports Kenvue’s Healthy Lives Mission by embedding environmental performance into core business strategy. A licensed Professional Engineer, Linda is committed to translating complex environmental challenges into science-aligned, operationally grounded solutions that protect people and the planet.
